Title: Heroes Don't Cry
Author: surreal_44
Pairings: None
Words: 997
Summary: While undercover, Neal faces a crisis that shakes him to his core.
Rating: Strong R, please read the warnings.
Warnings/Triggers: Mild whumpage. Drugged drink; graphic attempted rape (m/m). Very triggery.
Notes: Written for the kink meme for collarkink . Prompt: Neal is undercover at a bar, but someone slips him drugs in his drink, and leads him outside to do bad, bad things to him. Peter and the team in the van can hear what's going on, and rush to his rescue!

The Scorpions' song "Heroes Don't Cry" helped inspire this story. Hence the title for the fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own White Collar. Mr. Eastin does; I'm just playing in his world.

Neal was tired and bored, even though he was at the hottest new bar in Manhattan. It was filled with beautiful, wealthy people, the music was good and the food had been even better. Normally this type of thing was what Neal lived for, but tonight he couldn't wait for this to be over. All he needed was Dirk Jansen to snap up the money 'Nick Halden' wanted to launder, and then he could go home.

Unfortunately, Dirk Jansen had excused himself from their table to talk to one of his 'business partners' almost ten minutes ago, leaving Neal alone to nurse the trendy new drink the bar was becoming famous for. He took another sip of the tangy beverage and to entertain himself, he tried to figure out what the different ingredients were.

"Jansen's still gone," Neal said quietly for the benefit of the FBI team listening in. They were parked three blocks away, waiting for Jansen to say the right thing so they could move in on him. "I dun know if's coming back."

Was he slurring his words? Alarmed, Neal lifted his gaze from his glass with effort and tried to focus his eyes at the room around him. It took him a few moments too long to realize that his limbs felt unnaturally heavy. With a growing sense of dread Neal realized that somehow, someone had slipped something into his drink. They must have figured out that he was an informant. It would explain why Jansen had left him alone.

"Guyz...sumfin was in drink...need help," Neal mumbled. He needed to get up and leave before Jansen came back. A wave of dizziness swept over him as he swiveled his head to the right to try to see if he could spot his mark. He didn't see Jansen but he saw Jerry something-or-other, one of the man's hired thugs, approaching him. Shit.

"Nick Halden?" the man demanded. Neal tried to work up a charming smile, desperately hoping he could buy himself a few minutes. It wasn't to be. Whatever he'd been given really kicked in, and his fingers lost their grip on his drink. The glass slipped from his suddenly clumsy hand and onto the floor.

The man grinned and hauled Neal up to his feet. "Looks like you had too much to drink." To anyone looking, it would certainly seem that way. Between the black dots swimming in his vision and a fresh bout of dizziness, Neal could barely keep his legs under him. He leaned heavily against the other man, woozy and completely helpless to aid in his own defense as he was dragged towards the back of the bar.

"Mr. Jansen is ready to talk. He wants to see you outside," Jerry said cheerfully. Neal stumbled against him and he grunted. "You're a lot heavier than you look." He let his hand slide down Neal's waist. Something about the movement bothered Neal, but he was too focused on trying to remain awake and aware of his surroundings to consider how ominous the action was.

"He wans me 'n da alley?" Neal slurred to let the team know where he'd be. He was hopeful that Peter and the team were already on their way. His legs did not want to cooperate and it was getting harder keep his mind alert. He managed to hang onto consciousness as Jerry pushed through the back exit and propped his body against the dumpster. The cool night air revived Neal a little, and he straightened himself up as best he could.

"Mr. Halden," Jansen said as he stepped out of the shadows. Neal squinted at the broad-shouldered businessman. There was an odd look on the man's face. Not anger or betrayal but...Neal pressed himself against the wall of the alley and tried to figure out what Jansen was wanting from him. "I like your business offer, but I think I have a more fun use for you. Jerry, remove his jacket. He won't be needing it for now."

Neal's mind reeled as he tried to comprehend what Jansen meant. Jerry hauled him away from the wall and roughly removed Neal's suit jacket. What were they...? When his belt was unfastened, he suddenly realized what they meant to do and he tried to escape the invasive hands but the drug in his system made him slow. Jerry easily restrained him as Jansen pressed himself against Neal and planted a wild, sloppy kiss on his mouth.

Neal jerked his head away, disgusted by the man's touch. He wasn't prepared for the slap across his face. His eyes watered, and not just from the sting of the blow. When Jansen kissed him again, Neal tried to bite him. The second blow made his head spin and he almost blacked out. Jerry caught him before he could collapse to the ground.

"Enough," Jansen said, his voice cold. Jerry pushed him back against the dumpster. "I'm ready for him."

"No, please," Neal moaned as his pants and underwear were savagely pulled down. He could feel someone pressing against him, could feel the man's erection against his body, felt the tip press against his hole...

NO! Fear gave him enough energy to break free but it wasn't enough to help him escape.

He made it about half a step before Jerry grabbed him by the back of the hair and swung him around. The two men laughed as he staggered, disoriented. Neal didn't have time to regain his balance as he was shoved forward, his head connecting painfully with the brick wall of the building. White-hot pain flared in his skull.

"Let him go! FBI let him-" Peter! That voice, even angry and filled with anguish, filled Neal with a sense of safety. His body slumped as he began to lose consciousness. The hands holding him with bruising force suddenly released him and he started to fall. Grateful, relieved, Neal tumbled sideways to the ground and into darkness.

tbc...